Inmate fails to return to jail

TUCSON - A Pima County jail inmate has disappeared after a judge allowed him leave for a medical procedure.

Now the fugitive investigative strike team is tracking him down.

Robert Michael Nelson was in the Pima County Jail on aggravated DUI charges. Detectives say he left the jail on Wednesday morning. He was picked up by a friend who took him to the doctor's office. That same friend told investigators he lost track of Nelson at the medical facility.

"He violated the trust the judge placed in him and he has no respect for the judge or the court order," said Lt. Darin Stephens.

The 49-year-old Nelson had been in jail since June. He was awaiting trial and had a $7,500 bond. Court records show in 2012 he failed to appear in court on a DUI charge.

"Anytime an individual doesn't return back to jail there's a potential threat to the community," Stephens said.

Pima county's multi agency fugitive task force known as FIST has been looking for Nelson.

Nelson might be facing additional criminal charges for escaping. If you have any information you are urged to call 88-CRIME or 911.